PLANS to build a 50-bed care home for the frail elderly on land in Cranleigh have overcome their first hurdle.

Despite opposition from people living in Elmbridge Village, next to which it is planned to build the home, councillors last week gave it their approval.

However, because the decision by Waverley Borough Council’s area planning sub-committee conflicts with policy regarding countryside beyond the green belt, it still needs to be ratified by the authority’s main development control committee at its meeting on Tuesday next week and then by the Government Office for the South East.

Last week’s meeting heard an urgent need for such care facilities in Cranleigh had been identified and that the parish council, subject to certain concerns, supported the scheme.

However, David Hawkins, a chartered surveyor who lives in Elmbridge Village, told the meeting a large majority of more than 100 of his fellow residents were very concerned, particularly because the access to the home would come off Essex Drive, the road leading into the retirement village from Elmbridge Road.

“It’s too close to the village – it should be moved nearer the main road,” he said, while also expressing fears about the increased amount of traffic entering and leaving the area.

“Car parking must not be allowed to overflow into the village – parking is barely adequate as it is,” continued Mr Hawkins, who said the development would jeopardise the village’s safe environment.

Carebase managing director, Seamus Halton, told the meeting his company worked in partnership with local authorities and primary care trusts to help them find places for clients in need of care and assistance.

And he said of his company’s proposed new home in Cranleigh: “We believe it will meet the chronic local need in the area – need is an over-riding reason here, as there are very few facilities of this type in Surrey.”